LETTERS, Aug. 26: It's time to privatize liquor sales in N.C.

Thursday

EDITOR: Most Illegal immigrants come to this country for better job opportunities and a better life than they would have in their native country. I guess you can't blame them for that.

A large number come here legally and overstay their visas. A larger wall or more border patrol agents will not prevent that. The only answer is to pass legislation with large fines and serious mandatory jail time for anyone hiring or allowing illegal aliens to work for their business.

We need a mandatory and improved e-verify system to be used by every employer. Many employers in certain states that are not required to use e-verify do not use the system.

A large number of employers are aware that some of their employees are here illegally, but argue that they can’t get American workers to work for $7 an hour. Don't we have a free enterprise system in which supply and demand dictates wages. With no illegal aliens competing for these jobs, maybe employers would have to pay some workers $14 an hour or more. If we have to pay six percent more for dining out or purchasing corn, so be it. Shouldn't workers who are willing to work hard make a living wage?

If we truly need more workers to work in this country, bring them in legally, but first give Americans an opportunity to do these jobs at a living wage.

Irving Anthony, Supply

Watered-down drink

EDITOR: I read the Aug. 17 article about resignations, waste of funds, etc., in the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control system -- “ABC official resigns after audit.” A state audit found millions of dollars have been wasted. It’s a perfect example of why the state and counties should not be running a business that could be better and more efficiently run by private enterprise.

I can buy a 1.75 liter bottle of Jack Daniels in South Carolina for almost $16 dollars less than I can in North Carolina? Why? A bloated, corrupt bureaucracy that is inefficient and wasteful.

We should abolish the ABC system (except for the state being or controlling the sole distributorship of spirits to collect the taxes), sell the stores, save the payroll, collect property taxes on the store sites -- which, I assume, don’t pay any now -- and give consumers a big break at a big savings to the state/counties.

It’s Economics 101.

Erik Brockdorff, Winnabow

The value of ‘incentive’

EDITOR: It has often been said that Democrats strive for equal results while Republicans espouse equal opportunity.

To use sports analogies, Republicans would allow competitors to compete on an equal footing, while the Democrats would try to guarantee the same results for all competitors. Thus, in the Olympic races, one could loaf along or even never leave the starting blocks and get the same reward as Usain Bolt.

In the Indy 500, why even bother to refuel? Just run out of gas, coast to the pit area, have a beer and be awarded an equal finish with all the other drivers. There would be no need to train or practice. There would be no need to build better race cars.

This is why socialism and communism have been such abysmal failures. There is no incentive for innovation, hard work, risk-taking, or sacrifice.

James Brady, Wilmington

Spread the news

EDITOR: I applaud you for your Aug. 16 editorial, “Mr. President, stop attacks on the press.” After working at Newsweek magazine and NBC-TV, I know how hard reporters work to report to the people what is going on in their world. It is not an easy job.

Let the stories be told.

Rina DiGioia, Bolivia

Wrong treatment

EDITOR: Why is the solution to our contaminated water being handed off to local water utilities affected by the Chemours/DuPont contamination of our water and air?

First, that approach does nothing for those affected by contamination of the water table or the air that is also adversely affected and affecting our crops and farm animals.

Second, it seems that it should be the responsibility of Chemours/Dupont to treat for all contaminants before they are released into our air or water. If they cannot live up to these very basic responsibilities, they should not be allowed to manufacture in our state.

The years of the Robber Barons should be a part of our past, not our present or future. While officials are studying and analyzing these problems, we, the citizens and your neighbors, are being poisoned

Carol Santavicca, Sunset Beach

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